Kenya Red Cross warns of worsening drought as 23 counties affected
By Ascah Mwango, January 28, 2026Kenya is facing a worsening drought crisis, with more than 23 counties already affected, the Kenya Red Cross has warned.
Speaking on a local radio station on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, Kenya Red Cross Secretary General Ahmed Idris said the situation is deteriorating rapidly due to a failed rainy season.
“It is deteriorating by the day. We have a failed rainy season that is affecting more than 23 counties. We have 11 that we are specifically worried about. Specifically, Marsabit, Mandera, Turkana, Wajir, the usual suspects,” Idris said.
He added that this drought is different from previous ones, with some regions within a county being severely affected while others are less impacted.
“This particular drought has a nuance, when you look at a county, one region is holistically bad, and another sub-county is not that critical,” he explained.
Idris highlighted Baringo County as an example. While much of Baringo is relatively dry but not critical, Tiaty Sub-County is facing extremely harsh conditions.
He expressed concern over the coming months, noting that Kenya still faces two months of no rain, and when the rains eventually arrive, they may not be sufficient to ease the crisis.
“The situation is deteriorating. What is more is we still have two more months of no rain, and when we get the rains, it might not be good rains,” Idris stated.
Livestock
The drought in Mandera County has caused severe devastation, with reports indicating that more than seventy cattle have died.
In an official statement released on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the Kenya Red Cross confirmed that Chabii Barr in Rhamu Sub-County is among the areas hardest hit by the extreme dry conditions.
“In Rhamu Sub-County, Mandera, the drought’s impact is severe. Our team found over 70 livestock carcasses in Chabii Barr, highlighting the urgent need for intervention,” the Red Cross announced.
The Kenya Red Cross warned that the situation is deteriorating quickly, posing a significant risk to both human and animal life.
In response to the escalating crisis, the organisation has mobilised humanitarian aid, including the delivery of 28,000 litres of clean water to the affected communities.
“In response, 28,000 litres of water were delivered and 120 bags of fortified porridge distributed to children under five, pregnant and lactating women, alongside ongoing medical outreach. Kenya Red Cross is on the ground supporting affected communities,” the organisation said.